The strapping Behemoth will target Melbourne's big-dollar races after proving a class above in Saturday's Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville.
Ridden by Todd Pannell for trainer David Jolly, the massive son of All Too Hard tracked the early speed set by Kemalpasa and Superhard.
When Pannell went for Behemoth after turning for home, he quickly dropped Kemalpasa (Magnus) to win by three lengths with Mystyko (Sakhee's Secret) one and three-quarter lengths back in third.
"It was a good watch. He jumped well and was relaxed in the run," Jolly said.
"Kemalpasa was taken on from the 700m onwards. Once we got into the one-one it was a very easy watch after that.
"He will go to the (Group 1) Futurity in three weeks. We were originally looking at the Orr (Stakes) next week but decided that this was the better start to keep him home.
" After the Futurity he will start in the All-Star Mile. We haven't discussed anything beyond that.
"Personally, I would like to give him a decent spell into the spring, but at this stage, we are not looking at anything after the All-Star Mile."
The dual Group 1 winner advances his record to eight wins and four seconds from 19 starts with earnings of $2,132,610.
Bred by Walings Bloodstock, Behemoth was a bargain-basement $6,000 purchase by Grand Syndicates out of the Riversdale draft at the 2017 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
The son of All Too Hard had previously made $120,000 to the bid of Heritage Bloodstock out of the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2016 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.
Behemoth is the best of two winners from five to race out of the stakes-winning Zedrich mare Penny Banger, a half-sister to the Listed stakes-winner and Group 1 WATC Derby third Master Minx (Surtee).
The final foal of Penny Banger is a 3yo Scissor Kick filly named Danny's Sparkle who was knocked down to Dalziel Bloodstock / Peter Moody Racing / Mitch Freedman Racing for $85,000 at the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. She was second at her career debut at Echuca on July 26 last year.
